Aalbes c. 1815 - 1830

Eelke Jelles Eelkema rendered this watercolor of white currants, called "Aalbes," during the late 18th and early 19th centuries when the Dutch middle class had a rising interest in naturalism. Eelkema’s delicate portrayal of this fruit, its leaves, and stem invites us to consider the cultural values linked to nature and cultivation in Dutch society at the time. Think about the labor and knowledge required to cultivate the currants. The cultivation of such plants was linked to displays of wealth and the scientific understanding of the world. Consider what it meant to depict nature so literally at a time when social and economic structures were undergoing significant transformation. The currants are both a celebration of the natural world and a reflection of the societal values that shaped its understanding and appreciation.